Home Selling Myths Debunked

If you’re selling your home, you’ve no doubt received lots of advice about the process. Though most folks have the best of intentions, the information they share may not always be accurate. And in some cases, the “facts” they tell you may be downright harmful to getting your house sold. Let us save you some time and trouble by debunking some of the more common home selling myths.

You’ll get all your money back with improvements

While it’s true that some renovations can increase the value of your home, they aren’t all created equal. In fact, there are few that will pay for themselves entirely. Talk to your agent about what upgrades should be tackled before you list your home, and which ones to leave for the next owners.

Minor repairs can wait

We understand how annoying it can be to tighten every screw, replace every burnt-out light bulb and repair every leaky faucet. But making minor repairs can mean the difference between getting the price you want and having to accept a lower offer. Most buyers are looking for a home that is move-in ready. So now is the time to finally tackle that to-do list of minor repairs.

The seller determines the price

While the home seller does ultimately make the decision about the listing price, there are many factors that determine the number. The biggest factor that dictates what you can reasonably expect to get for your home is the market itself. Thoroughly research all the comparable properties for sale in your area, and rely on the expert market knowledge of your agent to arrive at the best price.

Price high at the beginning

There are some who believe that overpricing a home gives a potential buyer room to negotiate. But what it really does is scare most potential buyers off. With so much information available online, today’s buyers know when a home is being listed for an unreasonably high price. And in most cases, buyers will not schedule an appointment to view the home. Pricing high will often result in your home spending more time than necessary on the market. And the longer your home is on the market, the more unattractive it becomes to potential buyers. Do yourself a favor, and price it correctly at the start.

Repaint everything a neutral color

If your home is covered in zebra-stripe wallpaper, then you may want to consider toning it down a little. But not all vibrant colors need to go. Sometimes, those bold colors play up a nice feature of your home or brighten up an otherwise drab room. If you feel like the color may be a little much, you can play it down with more neutral furnishings.

Remove all holiday decorations before a showing

The holiday season is quickly approaching. If you’re getting ready to sell, you may think you’ll have to keep those boxes of holiday decorations stored until next year. If the thought of not decking your halls makes you sad, know that it’s OK to do a little holiday decorating. Just be sure to keep it simple and tasteful. In fact, those decorations may be just the thing to convince a potential buyer of how cozy and festive your house can be.